Like many others, you may still use a “break-fix” as your IT support model. However, these practices could cost your business money, causing downtime, and missing out on chances to grow.
The approach seems reasonable at first glance: when something goes wrong, you call someone to fix it. Easy. But what happens when “something breaking” means that the system is down for hours, people can’t work, or there is a data breach? That’s why more businesses are moving away from reactive fixes and toward constant monitoring: proactive IT management.
Managed IT vs. Break-Fix
Which model makes more sense for your business? Comparing managed IT services and break-fix IT models, how do they stack up? Let’s unpack the differences.
Break-Fix: Pay-As-You-Go and Hope Nothing Goes
The break-fix approach is exactly as it sounds. The business only calls in IT support when something goes wrong. This is comparable to only taking your car to the mechanic when it won’t start and not knowing how much the price will be until later.
This might seem like a good way to save money initially, especially for small businesses trying to stick to a tight budget. Only set up one-time bills when you require assistance.
One cost that isn’t obvious is downtime. As of 2023, a report from Gartner said that IT downtime costs $9,000 per minute on average. This number goes up quickly based on the industry. As little as an hour of unplanned downtime can cost several small businesses thousands of dollars in lost sales and work hours, not to mention the frustrated clients or damage to their reputation.
As for strategy advice, the break-fix approach doesn’t offer much either. It’s not meant to help you grow, stay safe, or make plans.
Managed IT Services: Prevent, Don’t Panic
Consider a different model. Instead of waiting for an issue, your IT partner monitors your systems, patches vulnerabilities, maintains hardware, and optimizes your tech stack. This is proactive IT management.
Typically, businesses rent out managed IT services on a monthly basis. This way, businesses can get all these services, including help desk support, network monitoring, cybersecurity, data backups, and strategy consulting, for a monthly price.
Mission-critical reliability is particularly essential for scaling businesses. IT is no longer merely a support role. This has a direct effect on sales, image, and the experience of customers. When your systems are resilient, secure, and optimized, your staff will perform better.
Comparing Managed IT Services and Break-Fix IT Models: The Business Case
The problem isn’t just a cost issue when we compare managed IT services and break-fix IT models; it’s also a way of thinking.
The break-fix process is reactive. The goal is to resolve issues after they’ve caused harm. managed IT takes the lead. It’s about building a stronger system and preventing problems before they happen.
Think about what you want your business to do. Are you going to get bigger? Grow your business base? Add new digital services or teams that work from home? Then, you need an IT strategy that grows with your business, not one that breaks when it does.
On the other hand, the last thing you need is doubt when running a business. When the break-fix hits again, you don’t know when or how much it will cost to fix. By using managed services, you get stability, openness, and ongoing help, which lets your team focus on growth.
And while break-fix providers are more interested in quick fixes, managed IT services companies care about your long-term success. They have a reason to keep their systems running well: everyone benefits when everything works.
The Benefits of Proactive IT Management
Let’s put this idea into context with some practical advantages. The benefits of proactive IT management extend well beyond avoiding fires.
- Cost Predictability: No more bills that come as a surprise. With a greater return on investment over time, you get predictable costs that are easy on the budget.
- Reduced Downtime: Since threats and problems are constantly being watched, they are often fixed before they cause problems.
- Enhanced Security: Managed IT providers put patching, computer protection, and training employees at the top of their list of priorities, which makes breaches less likely.
- Strategic Planning: You get access to experts who can help you prepare your system for the future and ensure that IT goals align with business goals.
- Scalability: You can expand your business without constantly reinventing your IT infrastructure.
So, What’s Best for Your Business?
The key question is whether IT should be considered a necessary evil or a strategic advantage. There is no universal solution.
IT support models shouldn’t only be about keeping the lights on. They should make your company more innovative, safer, and faster. For most businesses, that means getting past the problems that come with the “break-fix” mentality.
Make the Shift with Confidence
When a business has to deal with IT problems, BlueTeam Networks helps you get back to having calm, proactive management. We can help you build an IT base that supports real business growth, whether you’re having trouble with frequent outages, worries about cybersecurity, or just getting tired of costs that are difficult to predict.
Our team has years of experience helping small and medium-sized businesses transform. We can cut down on downtime, streamline support, and provide you with the information you need to move forward confidently.
Are you ready to stop only responding and move forward proactively? Contact BlueTeam Networks immediately to find a more innovative way to achieve IT success.